After a run of over 25 years, the South African Mk1 Golf has finally reached the end of the road...

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More than 400 Aston Martins in pristine condition, joined by a good selection from the Rolls Royce Enthusiasts Club – what more could the crowds ask for at the Aston Martin Owners Club Spring Concours?

Held in the beautiful setting of Rousham Park in rural Oxfordshire, the 70 Concours entrants’ cars were laid out in a central ‘arena’ in the parkland of this completely un-commercialized historic house. Spectators also enjoyed a fine display of preparation techniques in the Lockton Insurance marquee – with Aston specialists Trinity Engineering demonstrating what can be done, using a fully prepared engine to compare with a rough one, a DB5 bodyshell ready for the next stage of assembly and an immaculately finished example of the same car.Autoglym, who provided the prize for the Rolls Royce Visitor Class, and Valet Packs for all prize winners, demonstrated their products through the day which generated great interest, and brisk sales. Another highlight was the first public unveiling of the newly restored A3 - the oldest known Aston Martin and now owned by the Aston Martin Heritage Trust. Broughton Aston Martin Dealership from Cheltenham brought along a selection of cars, including the Racing DBR9. Aston Martin Works Service, who provided a new trophy for the Gaydon class showed off the much admired latest DBS. The prize giving rounded off the day, with bottles of Champagne provided by Taittinger given to all the winning entries along with the trophies. The Pride of Ownership Class was won by Ron Pearson’s 1988 AM V8 and the Elite Class by Paul Earnshaw’s 2003 DB7 GT.The spacious park in front of the house and inclusive access to the house and gardens gave everyone a wonderful, very traditional day out. Picnics in the park and music from the Bletchingdon Silver Band just added to that sense of a lazy summer day the sun shining on the most English of scenes.The Club’s next Concours will be on September 6th at the Yeovilton Royal Naval Air Station. More details are available from the Club website www.amoc.org under Social.